Donington Park’s podium belonged to champions VX Racing today for rounds seven, eight and nine of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), with the team claiming one victory, two second and two third positions throughout the day.

Extending its lead in the points standings significantly, VX Racing saw each of its three drivers take turns to feature on Donington Park’s top steps.

Race one
The reigning BTCC Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Champions had a great start to the day with a two-three finish.

Tom Onslow-Cole, who started from pole position, dominated the field throughout the 18-lap race, keeping a cool head following a delayed start and two safety car periods. On lap 14, however, the 20-year-old was forced to run wide, enabling SEAT’s Jason Plato and Gordon Shedden in the Honda Civic to pass the VX Racing driver.

Matt Neal continuously worked his way up through the field from sixth on the grid, and after passing his team-mate Onslow-Cole, overtook Shedden with Onslow-Cole following him through.

The reigning BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, starting from eight on the grid, was caught up in a fight for positions, which saw him run wide onto the grass. Following a quick pit stop, the Italian showed outstanding pace by flying through the field to finish in eighth place.

Race two
The team secured victory thanks to a superb drive from Fabrizio Giovanardi in slippery conditions.

Giovanardi had a great start, climbing from eighth into fifth, and after a brief safety car period, moved right on the tail of the front runners. On lap five, the Italian charged passed the SEAT of Jason Plato to take the lead. The VX Racing driver continued to pull away for the remaining laps to claim his third win of the season.

Matt Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole started from second and third respectively. Running in a strong third place, Neal lost a couple of places before an incident with a Honda Civic sent the VX Racing driver into the gravel. Onslow-Cole secured his second podium position of the day, taking home another third place.

Race three
VX Racing finished the day with a third successive podium when Tom Onslow-Cole claimed second place.

The young driver had a superb start from seventh and was already running in second place by lap two. Following a great fight with SEAT’s Darren Turner, the young driver kept cool not only recording the fastest lap of the race, but also taking home his third podium position of the day.

Fabrizio Giovanardi narrowly missed out on a third place following on-track battles with both SEATs throughout the race. The Italian eventually settled for a solid fourth place finish.

VX Racing’s Matt Neal, starting from 15th on the grid, charged through the field to finish in sixth position, collecting yet more points for the Luton-based manufacturer.

The team is heading the BTCC Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and Teams’ Championships with 21 races to go in the 2008 season.

Fabrizio Giovanardi #1
“The track was very slippery in race two and three. Each lap would be different; you approach one corner, find the limit and the next lap it would change completely.

“That’s why there was such a difference in driving today, everyone pushed as hard as possible of course, but in wet conditions you have to keep a little bit back to make sure you don’t slip off the track!

“Overall I’m happy with my results today and it was good to secure another race win.”

Matt Neal #4
“Race two was a bit disappointing, we were looking good for the reverse grid in the next race and a few more points would have been nice too of course.

“We started quite far back, 15th, and had a really good race getting up to sixth place. I knew it was unlikely we would get up to a podium position though so concentrated on keeping out of any shunts.

“Most of the race was about picking people off, which was harder than it seemed as I was mixed in with cars running different tyre choices. Some were on dry tyres like me and others on wets.

“It’s hard. By the time I was sixth the leading pack was so close and you always want more of course!”

Tom Onslow-Cole #10
“I’ve had a really good weekend! You don’t expect to be this quick at the start of a race weekend but after the two practice sessions, I felt quite confident. Then qualifying went really well with me posting pole position… By then I knew the races could go nicely!

“I’m still a little bit gutted about making a mistake in the first race as it cost us a win but looking back on it, I much prefer going away with three podiums and a load of points rather than that one win.”

BTCC Round Seven Race Result
1. Jason Plato (SEAT Leon TDi)
2. Matt Neal (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
3. Tom Onslow-Cole (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
4. Gordon Shedden (Honda Civic)
5. Andrew Jordan (Honda Integra)
6. Steven Kane (BMW 320si)
7. Adam Jones (SEAT Leon)
8. Fabrizio Giovanardi (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)

BTCC Round Eight Race Result
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
2. Jason Plato (SEAT Leon TDi)
3. Tom Onslow-Cole (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
4. Darren Turner (SEAT Leon TDi)
5. Tom Chilton (Honda Civic)
6. Andrew Jordan (Honda Integra)
7. Adam Jones (SEAT Leon)
8. Chris Stockton (SEAT Toledo)
DNF Matt Neal (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)

BTCC Round Nine Race Result
1. Darren Turner (SEAT Leon TDi)
2. Tom Onslow-Cole (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
3. Jason Plato (SEAT Leon TDi)
4. Fabrizio Giovanardi (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
5. Tom Chilton (Honda Civic)
6. Matt Neal (Vauxhall Vectra VXR)
7. Adam Jones (SEAT Leon)
8. Mat Jackson (BMW 320si)

2008 BTCC Drivers’ Championship
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi (91)
2. Jason Plato (75)
3. Matt Neal (64)
4. Gordon Shedden (62)
5. Darren Turner (62)
6. Mat Jackson (59)
7. Tom Onslow-Cole (55)
8. Tom Chilton (37)

2008 BTCC Manufacturers’ Championship
1. Vauxhall (198)
2. SEAT (183)

2008 BTCC Teams’ Championship
1. VX Racing (178)
2. SEAT Sport UK (132)
3. Team Halfords (99)
4. BMW Dealer Team UK (56)
5. Team Air Cool (38)
6. Team RAC (34)
7. John Guest Racing (31)
8. Motorbase (15)